Convertible wardrobe handbag



April 18, 1939. H B. MARBURY ET AL 2,154,630

CONVERTIBLE WARDROBE HANDBAG Filed March 6, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l H mm April 18, 1939- H. B. MARBURY ET AL CONVERTIBLE WARDROBE HANDBAG 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 6, 1937 Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Herbert B. Marbury and Roy 0. Jones, Atlanta, Ga., assignors to Fulton Bag and Cotton Mills,

Atlanta, Ga.

Application March 6, 1937,' Serial No. 129,481.

2 Claims.

Generically this invention relates to clothes containers, but it more especially is directed to a combination wardrobe travelbag and handbag,

and constitutes an improvement of the subject matter of our applications, Ser. No. 25,165, filed June 5, 1936, Ser. No. 61,408, filed January 20, 1936, now issued as Patents Nos. 2,087,210 and 2,087,211, respectively, and Ser. No. 85,993, filed June 18, 1936.

One of the principal objects of this invention is the provision of a combination wardrobe travel and handbag formed at its front surface with a cut-out opening of such dimensions and disposed at such an angle as to permit the expeditious insertion and removal of the contents of the bag, said cut-out portion constituting a closure flap for said opening, and. fastener means for securing the flap in closed position.

An important object of this invention is the provision of a substantially flat flexible sack-like container adapted tornormally support therein clothes and the like in wardrobe fashion when in extended position, and adapted to be folded and secured in folded position to provide a thin brief-case like handbag.

One of the important objects of this invention is the provision of a combination wardrobe, travel and handbag or container of this character having supporting means for suits of clothes or the like, and a cut-out portion in the front surface constituting a closure flap and fastening means therefor permitting ready access to said clothes, an exterior compartment adjacent the upper end of the container suitable for holding shirts, pajamas, and other articles of clothing, etc., having a slide fastener controlled opening preferably extending longitudinally of the compartment adiacent its upper edge, an opening preferably-vertically formed in the inner wall of said compartment and the rear wall of said container spaced from one end of the compartment and edge of the container having suitable fastening means permitting access to the compartment from the interior of the container, said rear longitudinal 43 opening adapted to permit ready access to the compartment without interfering with the first mentioned or primary container opening and irrespective of whether the container is in extended. or folded position, said outside compartment adapted to provide means for carrying wearing apparel and toilet accessories without such articles. pressing against or wrinkling the suits or dresses carried within'the container and, thereby, also providingadditional space inside 55 the container for suits,l.dresses, and the like.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a combinationcontainer of this character provided with'compartments exterior of the rear wall of the container having slide fastener controlled openings whereby access may be'had to said com- 5 partments-irrespective of whether the-container is in folded or extended position, and so arranged that when the container isin handbag or folded position the containers are balanced with respect thereto and constitute ineffect opposite exterior 1o surfaces of the handbag, said compartments being so constructed as to effect an increased carrying capacity without affecting, by wrinkling or otherwise, the contents of the container and without materially altering its brief case-like effeet or changing its flexibility, and at the same time yet adapted to .maintain in upright position the handbag when the same is set on the floor or other supporting surface.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of a combination wardrobe, travel and handbag or container of this character and in addition to the outside compartment above referred to, formed with an exterior compartment for shoes, toilet articles, etc. and having a slide fastener controlled opening, so that ready access may be had thereto irrespective of whether the container is in extended or folded position, and when folded said container is adapted to constitute a substantially thin brief case-like handbag.

A further important object of this invention is the provisionof a combination wardrobe, travel and handbag or container of this character having an improved hanger structure including a swivel or linkconnection between the hanger body and its supporting hook, so that said hook may be engaged in its supporting ring without tilting the hanger with the clothes, and permitting the insertion or selective removal of differcut articles of clothing without difficulty, and an opening formed in the front surface of such. dimensions and disposed at such angle as to permit ready access to the interior of the container and the clothes carried by said hangers, said cutout portion constituting a closure flap for said opening and having-fastening means, and. rack means carried by the inner surface of said flap adapted to-carry neckties and the like and prevent wrinklingthereof during the handling of the container.

Another principalobject of this invention is the provision of a flexible travelbag, adapted to support therein clothesin wardrobe fashion and to-,be normallyisuspendecl in extended position when traveling by automobile, train, bus, plane, or steamer, and instantly convertible into a handbag by simply folding the bag upon itself with its free end detachably secured to one side thereof, and having a strengthening attaching adjustable strap means secured to the upper end of the container and having detachable connection with its opposite end to supportingly maintain the folded section in position, said means additionally adapted for detachable supporting connection with a ring, hook, nail, pole, or other anchor element attached to a supporting medium.

A further important object of this invention is the provision of a combination travel bag and handbag constructed from a one or two-pieceblank adapted to normally support therein clothes in wardrobe fashion when in extended position, so constructed as to eliminate interior obstructions tending to wrinkle the clothes when folded to provide a handbag, said bag being airtight when closed whetherin extended or folded I positions, and constituting a permanent moth and dust repellent sealed clothes container when not being used for traveling-purposes, said container adapted to maintain the clothes in nonwrinkled condition, and instantly available as a travel and handbag when desired.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several figures, of which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of our improved convertible handbag inopen position.

v Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. N

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, but with the frontflap closed.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the handbag or container, showing the exterior compartments and the fastening means .for both compartments in closed position.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section showing the front flap closed and the upper compartment open.

Fig. 6 is a' perspective view of the device folded to constitute a handbag. 3,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary-detail sectional view taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 4. a

The types of luggage cases or handbags with which we are familiarhave proven deficient in many ways, such as being too bulky, too expensive to produce, having foldover flaps, interior compartments, etc., causing wrinkling of the clothes when folded, incapable of use as a handbag and also as a wardrobe container when traveling and as a clothes container when not in use for traveling, and it was to overcome such deficienciesand to provide a substantially flat, flexible, airtight, waterproof, dustproof, mothproof wardrobe container while being transported by land, air, or water, having auxiliary exterior compartments mounted on the rearwall of said container and effecting a balanced arrangement and in effect supporting base when the container is folded as a handbagand expeditiously independently accessible irrespective of whether the container is in folded or extended ppsition, one of said compartments being additionally accessible from the interior of the container so that filling of the compartments will not affect the interior capacity of the container and in addition prevent wrinkling or mussing of the contents of the suitable material transversely folded upon itself by bringing end I upwardly thereover and with its side edges and curved end edges turned inwardly in overlapping relation and stitched with a liner strip or insert 2 interposed therebetween and extending to the exterior so as to form a water and airtight seam and enhance the appearance of the bag. If it is desired to use a twopiece blank and the bag is similarly formed except that the inwardly turned edges will be stitched all the way around.

In order to provide an opening B of proper size, yet so designed as to permit complete access to the interior of the bag and the expeditious insertion therein andremoval therefrom of clothes and other articles, the front side or face 3 is cut forming a slot 3 substantially conforming to the contour of said upper edge from a point 4 spaced from one side edge and from the upper edge transversely to a point 5 spaced from the opposite side edge and downwardly to 6, thereby forming a substantially triangular flap 1, having a hingelike fold line 8 extending diagonally from the starting point 4 of said out to the end 6. i

In order to lock and hold the flap 1 in closed position, a tape (a) is secured by stitching (b) to the under surface of side 3 along the edge of the opening B and a similar tape (a) similarly secured along the periphery of the flap with their meeting edges extending substantially to the center of the slot when the flap is in closed position. Suitably cooperating fastening means 9 may be applied to the meeting edges of the respective tapes, comprising the well known form of interlocking metallic eyes or loops lll'which are moved into and out of interlocking engagement by means of a slide ll provided with an operating tab l2. By drawing the slide H in one direction, the elements of the fastener are interlocked and the flap is moved to and held in closed sealed position. By drawing or pulling the slide in the opposite direction, the elements. of the fastening means aredisengaged causing the flap to automatically move to open position. It is therefore apparent that the movement of slide ll not only fastens and unfastens the fiapbut at the same time effects, without other aid, movement of the flap from complete open to complete closedv position, as desired. In this connection, it will be noted that the metallic elements Ill. of fastening means 9 when in interlocking or bag sealing relation are positioned in slot 3 and below the exterior surface of the bag.

A tab (0), in the present instance, substantially shield-shaped is suitably secured to the bag at the ends l and 6, respectively, of slot 3' as a reinforcement and protection to the ends, respectively, of the slot and hinge fold 8 of said flap, whichare also adapted to add to the appearance of the bag. 7 The ends [3 of handle I! are interposed .betweeii and extend beyond the upper meeting als gq edges of the sack or bag 4 and are secured by the stitching I f I uniting" the "said edges. While inthe'present instance thebag and'handle are shown as preferably constructed of waterproof suede, either-or both maybe constructed of any suitablematerial. Each of said ends l3 of handle'M is divided and tacked brotherwise suitably securedtoo pposite sides of'a hanger support constructed ofwood or any suitable material of a' length substantiallyequal to the interior width of the sack and curved to conform substantially to the contour of its upper end, so that the weight of the bag will be distributed over said upper end.

SupportI5 not only effects an even distributionof the weight of the sack over its upper end, but maintains the shape of the sack or bag at all times and additionally'constitu'tes a supporting medium fonarticles of clothing placed on one or more of the clothes hangers l6 detachably supported by the anchor-screw I1 threadedly or otherwise secured to said support IS. The hook portion (at) of the respective hangers I6 is connected by the link or swivel connection (e) to the bodyof thehanger, so that when a l suit of clothes or other articles of clothing are meetingendsof sides '3"and '20 and united by stitching l as heretofore described. Said strip I8 is folded at a point spaced from its lower longitudinal edge substantially at right angles thereto, forming portion 2l' and then inwardly overlying side '20 to which it issecured by stitching 22; thusforming in cross section an elongated triangular expansible compartment F. The ends of said compartment are closed by the similarly shaped end pieces 2l' having their surrounding edgessecured to piece l8 and between i the meeting edges of sides 3 and with aninterposed liner strip 2 by stitching I as will be clear without further discussion.

The portion 2| is adapted to increase the contentcapacity" of said compartment and also to constitute a-supporting foot-like element adapted to maintain (in conjunction with'a' similarly oppositely positioned element directly to be described) the handbag in'an upright position when placed on the floor or other'supporting medium,

" as will hereinafter morefully appear. Saidcomdeficient in thatwhen such compartment is filledit takes up space within the container; thereby decreasing the content carrying capacity of the main container and interferes with such contents when the container is in "folded position, and therefore it has been found advantageous to substitute therefor compartment F mounted exteriorly of the container, so thatthe filling of said compartment does not affect in'a'ny way theinterior spaceor contents of the container. It has also been found of 'advantageto'provide opening 23 by means of which access may be had to the compartment through opening B and from within the container, substitutingsaid opening for the open end of the compartmentas heretofore practiced. Itwill thus be seen that this compartment is entirely separated from the interior of the container and access may behad thereto from either the outside or inside of" the container as desired;

Two or more sectional fastening elements 24, in the present instanceof the well known snap fastener type, are suitably secured to side 3 in spaced relation intermediatethe upper edge of the L-shaped opening 13 and the upper end of the container, each being correspondingly spaced from said upper end of the container. The complemental sections are suitably secured to the lower edge of bag Aand correspondingly curved to the upper portion ofside 3 adjacent to and supported by the support [6; and which also takes all strain off of the fastening means 9, when being carried as a handbag.

In order to strengthen the fastening means and prevent any tendency of the folded over portion to sag or the fastener elements 24 and 25 to separate when the bag, and especially compartment E (hereinafter to be described) is heavily loaded,

we haveprovided what may be termed an auxiliary strap fastening and supporting element having one end secured between the inwardly folded edges of sides 3 and '20 by stitching i and tacked or otherwise attached to one side of the support bar 15. A short loop strap 31 carrying buckle 38 is also secured between the inwardlv folded edges of sides 3 and 2B superimposed on strap 36 and with its end tacked or otherwise attached to the side of bar l5 opposite to the attached end of strap 36. A loop strap 31' carrying ring 38 is secured between the inwardly folded edges of sides 3 and 20 at the bottom edge of the container, and when the container is folded and strap is brought through said ring and secured by buckle 38 said strap will maintain the bag in folded position and 'especiallyrender it easier to effect engagement of the fastener elements 24 and 25 at each corner of the folded end of the bag. This construction will also not only tend. to transfer much of the weight directly to the support IE but center the pull with respect to the handle !4, thereby effecting in conjunction with fastenin elements 24 and 25 a betterbalancing of the load lengthwise of support I5 and transversely thereof by the addition of compartment F opposite to compartmentE. It will be observed that this strap arrangement is designed to serve a double purpose, first as a means for supporting the lower or folded section when the container is folded as a hand-' bag; and, secon ly; Whenthe' containeris in extended position, it is adapted to be passed around the rod in a Pullman berth, the rod in a clothes closet, the rod back of the front seat of an automobile, or over a hook or through a ring. The handbag may be reconverted into the wardrobe bag by simply disengaging the fastening elements 24 and 25 and buckle 38 from strap 36. In this connection it'will be noted that only one handle I4 is employed, the same being common to both forms A and C.

Access as above described may be had to compartment F through openings B and 23, when the bag is suspended by handle l4, but as this can only be done when the bag is in extended position, and since it is often necessary to gain access to said compartment for the purpose of removing handkerchiefs and the like, it has been found expedient and desirable to provide means for gaining access to said compartment without having to disturb any of the contents of the container and without having to first unfold the container, and which we accomplished by forming a slot or cut-out portion 21 in the back or rear side 18 of said compartment, and having secured therein, a closure and fastening structure similar to that described in connection with opening B, namely, (a), (b), 9, H], H and I2.

'A necktie or scarf rack structure D comprising the spaced loop or strap members 28 and 29, secured by brads 30 or other suitable fastening means, are mounted on the inner surface of flap 1.

Compartment E is similar to compartment F except that it is oppositely positioned, that is, a piece of material 3|, similar to 18, is mounted on side 20 adjacent the end of the container opposite to handle H, with one edge interposed between the meeting ends of sides 3 and 20 and united by stitching I. Said piece 3| is folded at a point spaced from its remaining longitudinal edge substantially at right angles, thereby forming portion 32, similar to portion 2|, and then inwardly as at 33 overlying side 20 to which it is secured by stitching 34, thus forming said compartment E, similar to compartment F, and with similarly formed and secured end pieces 21. It will be apparent that the supporting foot-like portions 2| and 32 support the folded container or handbag in upright position when placed on a supporting surface, notwithstanding their flexible and foldable nature, permitting, if desired, collapsing of said compartments when not in use.

The compartment E, like compartment F, exterior of the bag, has been found necessary to preclude the possibility of wrinkling of the wearing apparel inside of the bag, since shoes and other contents adapted to be carried by this compartment cause wrinkling of such apparel, and even if it were on the inside of the bag, such shoes and other contents would press against the garments and tend to wrinkle them, thereby defeating one of the primary purposes of the bag, which is to carry suits, dresses and other apparel without their being wrinkled.

In order that ready access may be had to said compartment E, it is formed, preferably adjacent its upper edge when the container is folded as a handbag, with a longitudinal slot or cut out portion 35 and a fastener closure means therefor, similar to that described in connection with opening 2'! in compartment F, namely, (a), (b), 9, I0, H and 12.

It will be observed that the compartments E and F, somewhat triangular in cross section, are

designed to present increased capacities and so arranged with respect to each other as to overcome certain disadvantages of previous c ontainer construction, adapted to effect a balanced handbag structure, without affecting the contents or foldability of the container, and additionally adapted to supportingly maintain the handbag in upright position when placed on the floor or other surface, without detracting from or affecting the flexibility of the container.

With further reference to the insertion of articles of clothing such as suits and the like in the container and their removal therefrom, it might be further stated that the L-shaped cut 3 forms the opening B, ordinarily referred to as the L opening, and which particular type of opening has been foundto greatly facilitate the insertion of the clothes in the bag and their removal therefrom, and in addition forms the upper overhanging portion of side 3 suspended from the supporting member l5, and which is adapted to support the folded over portion of the container with its exterior compartment. This manner of supporting and detachably securing the container in folded position not only prevents strain on and distortion of the L-shaped fastening means, but completely hides said means from view, thereby enhancing the appearance of the bag when folded as a brief case-like handbag.

' Again, the wardrobe, travel and handbag, constructed in accordance with this invention, when being carried as a handbag or suspended from a supporting element in a stateroom, Pullman car, airplane or automobile, ready access may be had to compartments E and F without unfolding the handbag, and when in extended position access may be had to the container and compartment F from one side and to the interior of the container and both compartments without removing the container from its supporting element.

The operation and versatility of our improved light weight, compact, combined travel bag and handbag would seem to be clear from the above description. 7

From the above it is apparent that we have designed a unique combined wardrobe bag and handbag manufacturable at a minimum of cost, adapted if desired to be supported in extended position when being transported by automobile, train, bus, plane orsteamer, affording a compact way of carrying suits and other articles without wrinkling, etc., eliminating troublesome packing and unpacking, providing a light, conveniently handled protection for said suits, the latter being instantly available by simply moving the slide fastener member to complete flap opening position, or only sufficiently to partially open said flap if other articles such as shirts are desired; and from this point to reconvert the wardrobe bag, simply close the slide fastener, transversely fold the bag, snap the complemental fastening elements into interlocking engagement and/or fasten said strap means, and a compact handbag is the result.

Further, if it is desired to gain access to the auxiliary compartment F without interfering with suits, dresses, or other articles carried by the container and without opening said flap closure 1, it is only necessary to move in opening direction the slide fastener normally closing opening 21, whereby access is had to said auxiliary compartment F for the insertion or removal of shirts, socks, handkerchiefs, underwear, or other wearing apparel, and similarly, with respect to the slide fastener normally closing opening 35 in compartment E and irrespective of whether the container is in extended or folded position.

Although in practice we have found that the form of our invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and referred to in the above description, as the preferred embodiment, to be the most eflicient and practical; yet, realizing the conditions concurrent with the adoption of our invention will necessarily vary, we desire to emphasize that various minor changes in detail of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or sacrificing any of the principles of this invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we desire protected by Letters Patent is as set forth in the following claims:

1. A foldable travel bag including parallel flexible side members united at their edges to form a sack, means in connection with one of the side members to afford access to the interior of the sack, a pair of compartments attached to the other side member, said compartments including adjacent bottom portions extending outwardly from said other side member in parallelism from opposite sides of the fold line of said side forming a central portion, front portions integral with the bottom portions tapering upwardly therefrom to opposite ends of the sack producing in effect a Gladstone configuration, whereby when said sack is folded said bottom portions form a continuation of the central portion of said other side member and constitute therewith an extended base, means in connection with the respective compartments to afford access to their interiors, and means for detachably securing the bag in folded position.

2. A wardrobe travel bag foldable into a container comprising a sack having flexible parallel side walls, an opening in one side wall to aiford access to the interior of the sack and having suitable closure means, said container being adapted to be folded substantially central of its length into a hand bag, a pair of exterior compartments mounted on the rear wall of said container on opposite sides of said fold line and having parallel widened opposed bottom portions adapted to form a central base portion, said bottom portions in conjunction with said central base portion constituting an extended base when said bag is folded into a hand bag, said compartments having normally closed exterior openings, one of said compartments having an additional normally closed opening in its rear wall and that of the sack spaced laterallyfrom the side edge of the sack and the vertical edge of the sack opening, whereby access may be had to the last mentioned compartment both exteriorly and interiorly of the sack.

HERBERT B. MARCBURY. ROY C. JONES. 

